Box construction



1943. w. A. BECKER BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 23, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Bnventor: WHL r52 A. Bea/ 52 g in Aug. 10, 1943. w. A. BECKER BOX Cousmucmou Filed Feb. 23, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 I m m w n 3 E 5 H m. T L m :KEK

GttomegS Aug. 10, 1943. w. A. BECKER BOX CONSTRUCTION Filed Feb. 23, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Z'mvento r; Wm me A Baa/ 52 Patented Aug. 1c, 1943v "2,326,281 1 UNITED STATES, PATENT OFFICEN 2,326,281 BOX CONSTRUCTION Walter A. Becker, Charlotte, N. c. Application February 23, 1942, Serial No. 431,959

3 Claims. (01. 229-31 This invention relates to containers such as cartons, boxes and the like and comprises an improvement in my co-pending patent application, Serial No. 370,370 filed December 16, 1940.

v improved carton construction;

Figure 2 is an isometric view showing the cover of the carton in an open position; v

More specifically, the invention relates to a 6 Figure 3 is an isometric view similar to Figur hinged cover construction whereby the cover may 2, but with the liner removed from the body of be readily attached to, or detached from the the carton;

body of the container. Figure 4 is an isometric view showing the car- In most instances, it is desirable to ship carton partially erected and as the same appears tons in a knocked-down position so that a minibefore one end of the cover is locked in position mum amount of shipping space will be required. by one of the end walls;

Before shipping the knocked-down cartons, how- Figure 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional ever, it is a usual practice to finish the same by e t en along t e in Figure placing certain printed matter on the body and gu e 6 s an enlarged sectional o tu cover so that the user will only have to erect view taken along the nes in 8' e d the carton and place the goods therein. Due to Figure 7 is an isometric detail view of the carthe fact that the cover often requires a different on co er a t ppe before attaching e printing operation from that necessary for the s e to he carton y; body, it is desirable to have the cover detachable gu e 8 is an isometric X 0f the body. of so that the body and cover can be handled sepathe carton showing the end wall locking flaps in rately during the printing. an extended position; r

Where a carton having a flexible cover extend- Figure 9 is an isometric View O e a n ing from one of its side walls is employed, much liner;

difiiculty is encountered due to the lack of Figure 10 is a developed View of a blank from rigidity of the supporting side wall. The lack which a por ion of t e lid s shOWn in Fi e of rigidity is partially due to the cover and side is formed; wall being of the same thickness throughout. Fi ure 11 is a p n V w o t e b a f om When a cartoncf this nature is employed for which the ca on y as shown in Figure 8 is displaying merchandise such as cigars or the like, e it is desirable that the wall to which the cover is Figure 12 is an so et c ew of a slightly attached be much stronger than the other walls. modified form of carton construction showing For example, when making a sale of cigars, the the cover in an opened position; opened container is usually handled by grasping Fi ure 18 is an e ar ed a s e se ec n the cover with one hand and the body of the box detail view taken along the line l3--l3 in Figwith the other. Therefore, each time a sale is ure 12; made, an added strain is applied to the side wall, Figure 14 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional as well as a bending of the cover about its hinge. detail viewtaken along the lines lA-ll in Fig- It is an object of this invention to provide'a ures 12 and 13; carton having a rotatable cover, one edge of Fi ure 5 is an so et c v ew sh wi the which extends downwardly from its axis ofro'ta- 40 cover as it app pri to hin he me tion along the inner face of one of the side walls to a carton body; to supply the necessary rigidity. Figure 16 is an isometric view of the carton It is another object of this invention to provide body which is adapted to receive the cover struca carton of the class described in which a releasture shown in Figure 15; able interlocking arrangement is provided be- F r 17 i a Vi w f h body blank from tween the downwardly extending cover edge and which the container shown in Figure 16' is the end walls of the carton. formed.

It is another object of this invention to pro- Referring; more specifically to the drawings, vide a two-piece carton comprising a box and and especially to Figure 11, the numeral III dea rotatable cover, said cover having tabs detach- 60 notes a blank from which the body of a carton ably interlocked with opposite walls of the box. is made. This blank is divided into sections by some of the objects of the invention having crease lines, and when-it is desired to form an been stated, other objects will appear when the erected carton body, the sections are bent about description proceeds, when taken in connection their respective crease lines and glued or otherwith the accompanying drawings, in whichwise fastened in position.

The blank ID has a bottom section I, said bottom section having side wall sections l2 hingedly secured to opposed edges thereof along crease lines l4. The outer edges of the sections |2 have integral therewith tab sections l5, said tab sections being adapted to fold inwardly upon sections l2 along crease lines "3 and to be secured in folded position by any suitable means such as an adhesive ll. The remaining two edges of the bottom section U have end wall sections 8 attached thereto along crease lines I9. These end wall sections have a locking tab attached to the outeredges thereof along the creaselines 2|. The function of locking tabs 20 will be more completely described in the following specification, but it should be noted that they are employed in the presentinvention primarily for releasably securing the cover to the body of the carton.

Between the adjacent corners of the end wall sections l8 and sidewall sections l2, suitable gusset sections are provided, each gusset section being divided into two triangular sections, i. e., 26 and 21 by means of a crease line 28. Each gusset 25 also is united to an end wall section along one of the previously mentioned crease lines l4, and to the sidewall section along one of the previously mentioned crease lines l9.

In order to erect a carton body from blank Hi, the sidewalls I2 and the end walls l8 are bent inwardly and upwardly about their respective crease lines l4 and I9, and at the same time the sections 26 and 21 are folded upon themselves about crease lines 28, to thereby cause the box to assume a position substantially as shown in Figure 8. Of course, it is necessary to first fold the sections l5 inwardly upon the side wall sections l2 in the manner previously mentioned so that the top edges of the side walls will be reinforced. The sections 26 of the corner gussets 25 preferably have a suitable adhesive 26a applied thereto so that when the same is folded against the inner face of end wall sections Hi, the contacting surfaces will adhere and thereby hold the side and end walls in an upright position.

It will be noted by referring to Figures 8 and 11 that each end section l5 has a tab |5a integral therewith. These tabs are attached to the sections l5 along crease lines |5b. Therefore, when the carton body is erected to the position shown in Figure 8, the tabs |5a will lie in a position substantially parallel to the sections I8, 26 and 21. The purpose of these tabs |5a is to add a substantial reinforcement to the corners of the erected carton body, and also to serve an important function in reinforcing the detachable cover structure hereinafter to be described.

When the blank ID has been erected to the position as shown in Figure 8, it is then ready for the attachment of a suitable cover 24, such as shown in the accompanying drawings. This cover is partially formed from a blank 29 (Figthe section 32 is of such a width as to account for the thickness of the cover. Each end of crease line 4|, a short tab or flap 40.

When it is desired to fold blank 29 to form a cover structure 24 such as shown in Figure '7, the sections 3| and 33 are folded along lines 36 and 31 respectively. When properly folded they will be spaced apart a suiiicient distance to permit a suitable rectangular filler member 42 to be inserted therebetween so that proper rigidity will be provided in the cover structure. The filler member 42 should be secured in place by any suitable means such as glue 43. The tabs 40 are then folded along lines 4| toward the observer in Figures '7 and 10 to a position where they will be substantially at right angles to section 30. Then the cover structure is in the proper shape for attaching the same to a carton body such as shown in Figure 8.

When attaching the cover structure 24 to the carton body, it is necessary to place the section against the inside of one of the side walls I2 in the manner shown at the far side of Figure 4. At this time the end sections 4|] of the cover structure will be disposed adjacent the .interior proximate faces of corner sections 2l. With the parts in the position shown in the right-hand portion of Figure 4, the end tab locking sections 20 are bent inwardly about bend lines 2| to thereby removably encase the end tabs 40 and to detachably anchor the same to the end walls of the carton body.

Since the free edges of the sections 20 fit snugly against the interior or side walls and bottom of the carton body, the frictional engagement will ordinarily be sufficient to hold the same in a folded position such as shown in Figure 3; however, as an additional means for holding the free ends of the sections 26 in folded or locked position, a suitable rectangular liner is provided. This liner may be collapsed in any desired manner, such as the structure shown in my said co-pending application. This liner has side walls 46 and end walls 41 and a bottom 48; and the size and shape is such as to permit the 'same to snugly fit on the inside of the erected carton body to thereby cause the end walls of the liner to confine the locking flaps 20 in the proper position as shown in Figure 6. The side walls 46 of the liner will likewise serve to confine cover flap 34 in a slot 34a which slot is formed between liner side wall 46 and cover section 30 (Figure 5). The cover 24 is adapted to rotate about line 35, when opening or closing the same.' Therefore, it is quite evident that the flap section 34 will slide up and down in slot 34a during this rotation and between the liner side wall 46 and the cover section 36. This form of construction makes it easy to attach or detach the cover to or from the carton body.

Figures 12 to 1'7 inclusive illustrate a modified form "of the invention in which the carton cover is detachably secured to end walls of thecontainer body in a different manner. The body blank from which the body of the carton is formed, as illustrated in Figure 17, is designated broadly by the reference character 50. This blank comprises a bottom section 5| having suitable sidewall sections 52 and end wall sections 53, which are joined to the bottom section along crease lines 54 and 55, respectively.

The side wall sections 52 have integral with the outer ends thereof suitable reinforcing sections 56. These sections 56 are adapted to be walls about suitable crease lines 51 and then secured in position by any suitable means such as adhesive 56a. Likewise the outer ends of the end wall sections 53 have suitable reinforcing sections 59 which are adapted to be bent inwardly along lines 50 upon the inner faces of end wall sections 53 and secured in position by any suitable means such as adhesive 59a. These sections 59 and 56 are disposed at the top edges, or rim of the container body when erected, thereby making the open side of the container body sufilciently rigid to withstand use.

The ends of the side wall sections 52 have extending therefrom, tabs 62 which are adapted to be bent inwardly along previously mentionedbend lines 55 at substantially right angles to the side walls when the carton body is erected. In the erected positions, the tabs will be in a face-toface contact with the inner faces of the end walls 53. A similar tab 63 extends from each end of said reinforcing side wall section 56 and likewise this tab is adapted to be bent about previously mentioned crease line 55, to cause the same to bedisposed in parallel position and in face-toface contact with the tabs.62 when the side walls and end walls are erected.

I The purpose of the tabs 62 is to serve as uniting gussets between the side walls and end walls at the corner of the carton body, and the function of the tabs 63 is to add to the rigidity and the strength to the rim at the corners of the carton body.

To erect a carton body from the blank 50 sothat it will assume a shape shown in Figure 16, it is first necessary to fold the side wall reinforcing sections 56 upon the inner faces of side wall sections 52 and glue, or otherwise, secure the same in position. At this time the tabs 63 will overlap the tabs 62. Then the tabs 62 and 63 are bent upwardly and inwardly to positions substantially at right angles to the sidewall sections, after which the side wall sections 52 and the associated tabs are rotated about crease lines 54 until the side walls assume a right angle position to the bottom At this time, the end wall sections 53 and 59 are bent upwardly about crease lines 55 until the inner faces are in faceto-facecontact with the outer faces of side wall tabs 62 after which the end wall reinforcing sections 59 are folded downwardly about crease line 60 and over the ends of tabs 62 and tabs 63 substantially as shown in Figure 16.

When the carton body is erected, the end wall reinforcing section 59 will have its outer edge disposed substantially in parallel relation to the bottom section 5|. The adjoining beveled surface 'H at each end of sections 59 will slant downwardly at an acute angle from the upper corner of the carton body. The two surfaces 10 and H form ledges or projections for engaging a portion of the cover structure and removably holding it in position relative to the body of the carton.

The top or cover for the carton body is very similar to the cover previously described which fits on the carton illustrated in Figures 1 to 11, inclusive. Therefore, like reference characters will be given to like parts and a detailed description will be made only of the parts which diifer.v

The details of the cover 13 which is adapted to be associated with the container shown in Figure 16 are illustrated in Figures 12 and 15. This cover is divided by crease lines into sections 30, 3|, 32, 33 and 34, as in the preceding case; however, the

interlocking tabs on the end sections 30 differ slightly from the tabs in the preceding form. It

is here seen that the section 30 of cover 13 has 10 TI is disposed adjacent the horizontal edge 16 and this beveled edge fits against the beveled edge H of the carton body.

There is a natural tendency for the tabs 14 to spring outwardly about the crease lines 14.

\15 Therefore upon placing the section 30 of cover the edges 10 and H.

13 against the inside surface of side wall section 52 of the erected box, the tabs 14 will press outwardly against the inner faces of the end walls and thereby hold the edges 16 and 11 beneath The flap section 34 will also fit in parallel relation to the section 30 as in the preceding form. The purpose of showing this flap section is an upturned position in Figures '7 and 15 is to clarify the disclosure, but

when the container is erected the flap 34 will always assume a down-turned position such as shown in Figures 13 and 14.

When flap 34 is disposed in downturned position as shown in Figures 13 and 14, a suitable liner 45 (Figure 9) is adapted to snugly fit on the inside of the container body to not only hold the flap 34 in downturned position, but to also additionally hold the tabs 14 against the end walls and beneath the edges 10 and II. The container 35 formed from the blank 50 is not what is comsuitable machinery. The cover however, is usumonly known as a collapsible box, Instead, it is usually cut out in a blank form such as shown in Figure 7 and then shipped to the user'who erects the same by use of hand or\by supplying ally completed when shipped except for the bending of the tabs 34 and 14. In the preceding form, the body blank I!) is usually. formed into a collapsed box before shipping, and of course, when the user is ready to attach the cover, it is only necessary for side walls and end walls to be raised-to an erected position such as shown'in Figure 8 and then the cover structure is attached.

In the drawings and specification, there has been set forth a preferred embodiment of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. In a rectangular box having a bottom, side walls and end walls, projections extending 'inwardly from the proximate faces of the end walls and forming a shoulder on the lower edge of each projection, a rotatable cover for said box, means for removably securing the cover to said box, said means including a flat member extending from the axis of rotation of the cover along one of the side walls and tabs extending from each end of said fiat member, each upper edge of each tab fitting against the lower edge of said projections.

2. In a rectangular box havinga bottom, side walls and end walls, projections extending inwardly from the proximate faces of th end walls, a rotatable cover for said box, said cover having a flap extending from the axis of rotation of said cover along the inner surface of one of the side walls, means for removabiy securing said flap to said box including tabs extending from th ends of said flap and having their upper edges fitting against the lower edges of said end wall projections, and a rectangular liner fitting into said box and serving to hold the tabs in position below said projections.

3. In a rectangular paper box having a bottom, side walls and end walls, inwardly; foldable fiat sections rotatably secured to the top edge of each end wall, a rotatable cover for said box, said flap when the cover is rotated, means for removably securing said cover and flap to said box including tabs extending from the ends of said first flap and having their upper edges fitting against the lower edges of said inwardly foldable fiat sections, and a liner comprising a second rectangular paper box adapted to fit snugly within said first box whereby the sliding movement of the said flexible flap will be confined between the sidewalls of the liner box and said first flap, and whereby said flat sections will be held in folded positions against the inner faces of said tabs.

WALTER A. BECKER. 

